HomeMy WebLinkAboutRESOLUTIONS - 05131986 - 86-262 A 16
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THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
Adopted this Order on May 13, 1986 , by the following vote:
AYES: Supervisors Fanden, McPeak, Torlakson and Powers
NOES: None
ABSENT: Supervisor Schroder
ABSTAIN: None
SUBJECT: Interstate Commerce Commission )
Proceedings on Consolidation of SP-ATSF ) Resolution # 86/262
Railroad Companies, ICC Finance Docket #30400)
WHEREAS, pending before the Interstate Commerce Commission is an
application by Southern Pacific Transportation Company (SPT) and Atchison,
Topeka & Santa Fe Railway (AT&SF) to merge their operations into a new
transportation company, Southern Pacific and Santa Fe Railway Company (SPSF) ;
and
WHEREAS, it is anticipated that the merger, if approved by the ICC,
will result in greatly increased rail traffic along the present SPT right of way
from Oakland to Brentwood bordering San Francisco Bay, San Pablo Bay, Carquinez
Straits and Suisun Bay in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties; and
WHEREAS, the Energy & Environment staff of the ICC has prepared an
environmental assessment of the effects of the merger, dated November 1, 1985;
and
WHEREAS, by letter of February 7, 1986, the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency criticized the environmental assessment for failing to "fully
analyze the potential impacts of the proposed merger so that appropriate
mitigation measures can be developed," particularly with respect to noise
impact, alternatives to avoid impacts and additional mitigation measures; and
WHEREAS, the environmental assessment shows that Contra Costa County
is one of the most impacted areas in terms of this merger in the western United
States; and
WHEREAS, the County is most concerned that any. *abandone&rtght- of-way
associated with the proposed merger be reserved for future local transportation
use; and
WHEREAS, the County, its affected cities, and the East Bay Regional
Park District have been working together to identify impacts and proposed
appropriate mitigations; and
WHEREAS, the Environmental Protection Agency further suggested that
mitigation measures should consider "the use of absorption barriers and the
possible use of operational techniques at specific noise impact sites," and
inclusion of "such methods as the use of fencing, separate grade crossing for
the vehicles, and the use of pedestrian overpass for specific sites;" and
WHEREAS, a supplemental environmental assessment now being prepared by
the staff of the ICC in response to the EPA's comments will not be completed by
May 21, 1986; and
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RESOLUTION NO. 86/262
WHEREAS, the full Interstate Commerce Commission has calendared en
banc argument on the petition by the railroads for approval of merged operations
for May 21, 1986, in Washington, D.C. ;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Contra Costa County Board of
Supervisors requests the Interstate Commerce Commission require the applicants
to fully mitigate the impacts of the merger as identified in the complete
Environmental Assessment as it relates to Contra Costa County; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the specific mitigation for impacts in
this County be based on this County' s response to the Environment Assessment
dated December 10, 1985, as amplified by specific requests of the cities and the
East Bay Regional Park District.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the County requests the assistance of our
Federal and State legislators to insure that this mitigation occurs.
I hereby CerBty that this is a true and correct copy of
an action takon and entered on the minutes of the
cc: Senator Alan Cranston Board of Supervisors on tho date shown.
Senator Pete Wilson ATTESTED: 3 _ /9 J;'L
Congressman George Miller PHIL BATCHELO .CiF;'it of the Board
Congressman Ron Del 1 ums of Supervisors and County Administrator
Governor George Deukmejian
Assemblyman Bob Campbell
Senator Dan Boatwright By ,.Deputy
California Public Utilities Commission
State Department of Transportation
Resources Agency of the State of California
Association of Bay Area Governments
B.C.D.C.
Southern Pacific Transportation
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway
Community Development Dept.
County Counsel
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RESOLUTION NO. 86/262